- Down-to-earth support
- Goal focused work
- 15 years experience
About Ellen
Ellen Dinsmore is a licensed clinical social worker who helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, and codependency concerns. She brings a calm, down-to-earth presence to sessions and focuses on practical steps toward better daily functioning. Ellen speaks plainly and aims to make the first step feel manageable for someone who is unsure where to begin.
With more than 15 years of experience, Ellen uses collaborative conversations to identify goals and next steps. She listens for what matters most to each person and helps turn worries into concrete plans. Sessions focus on what a person wants to change and how to get there, one small step at a time.
Ellen often draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ideas to help people notice unhelpful patterns and try new behaviors. She also uses client-centered and mindfulness approaches to support emotional awareness and reduce reactivity. Motivational Interviewing techniques come into play when people are working through substance use or other difficult changes.
People commonly bring concerns like relationship strain, grief, coping with life changes, ADHD, burnout, and issues tied to trauma or identity. Ellen also offers support around career stress, parenting challenges, and the specific strains that can come from caregiving and compassion fatigue.
She works in Minnesota as an LICSW - licensed independent clinical social worker - and conducts sessions in English. Ellen aims to create a respectful, nonjudgmental space where people can talk through their situation and develop realistic plans for change.
How Ellen's approaches translate to online therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and practice actions that align with those values even when feelings are hard. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental listening stance that supports emotional expression and self-directed growth.Choosing the right approach is a shared process. Ellen will work together with each person to pick techniques that match their needs, goals, and personal preferences. That collaborative process may blend ACT, CBT, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing depending on what proves most useful.
If you are considering online options, confirm the available session formats before booking since session types are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It also makes it possible to continue momentum between office visits and try tools in the places where life actually happens.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Credentials
Minnesota
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Ellen help with?
She helps people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, and codependency among other issues such as grief, trauma, and career strain.
How would you describe Ellen's therapeutic style?
Ellen uses a collaborative, down-to-earth approach that focuses on clear goals and practical steps. Conversations are aimed at identifying small changes that add up over time.
What experience does she bring?
She has 15 years of professional experience working with people facing mood, substance use, and life-transition challenges.
What credentials and location are listed?
Ellen is an LICSW - licensed independent clinical social worker - practicing in Minnesota.
In which languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can international clients work with Ellen?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to begin working with Ellen?
Click the Start Therapy button, fill out a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.